Second Thoughts

Pitcher gets into annals with rarity

Philadelphia Phillies' Jerome Williams pitches during a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Phillies' Jerome Williams pitches during a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Jerome Williams' performance this season won't be remembered much by Philadelphia Phillies' fans.

The veteran pitcher is 4-2 with a 2.45 ERA for the Phillies, who claimed him off waivers from the Texas Rangers last month, which came after he was released by the Houston Astros.

But Williams accomplished something Saturday that nobody else has this season. It was something that nobody in baseball history had for that matter.

Williams pitched seven scoreless innings to lead the Phillies to a 3-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics, his third victory over the Athletics this season. What makes the feat historic, though, is that Williams did it with three different teams.

Williams first beat the Athletics on April 26 while pitching for the Astros, and July 25 with the Rangers.

According to Elias Sports Bureau, it was the first time in major-league baseball a pitcher has had three victories over one team while pitching for three different teams.

"That is crazy," Williams told reporters after the game. "For one, you would never think that you would face the same team. I was in the AL West so I knew I was going to face them, but coming over to the Phillies in interleague play, you didn't think you were going to face them again. It's a good feat."

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Stolen ring

Toronto Argonauts executive Michael "Pinball" Clemons was taking in his team's game against the BC Lions on Friday night.

Clemons watched the game -- a 40-23 Argonauts victory -- on the sideline while chatting with fans.

During the game, Clemons, a former Toronto running back and coach, tossed one of his Grey Cup rings into the stands so a fan could take a picture.

Clemons never got the ring back.

Reporters at the game described a scene in which a woman tried on the ring, then left before giving it back.

"Seriously?" Vancouver Sun columnist Cam Cole tweeted. "Pinball tossed his Grey Cup ring into stands at BCPlace for a fan to look at, and the woman took off with it? C'mon Vancouver."

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Minor obstacles

The Toledo Mud Hens played their last baseball game of the season three weeks ago, but fans still have reasons to go to Fifth Third Field.

That's because the Mud Hens, the Class AAA affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, have turned their outfield into two separate 18-hole miniature golf courses. The idea came about when the team realized it would have to replace its grass next spring because two outdoor hockey games would be played on this winter.

So, it created what it calls the first minor league park to be turned into such a course, "The Links at Fifth Third Field" has 18 par-2 holes cut into the grass with bats and bases serving as fairway obstacles.

The team is charging $15 to play the courses, and some of the proceeds will go to charity.

"The team gave me full rein to do what I wanted, and I've always wanted to do this," said Jake Tyler, the team's turf manager, to ESPN.com.

Sports quiz

Q. How many teams has Jerome Williams pitched for?

A. Seven. Williams has pitched for the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Angels, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers and Philadelphia Phillies in his 10-year career.

Sports on 09/22/2014

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